The Tracy/Milroy/Balaton Panther football team
recorded a come-from-behind 212 Conference win over Renville
County West Friday night at Tracy 24-16. The win improved the
Panther's season record to 4-2 and they are now 2-1 in the 212
Conference. RCW dropped to 3-3 and they are 0-3 in the
conference.

As the game began it became clear that the
Jaguars looked to this game as their chance to get into the
conference win column. They played highly motivated, inspired
football. Their line fired off the ball and the backs ran hard.

The early tone of the game was set in the first
possession of each team. TMB received the opening kick off but
went three and out. Sean Kirk got off a good punt but it was
called back and the Panthers were penalized back to their own
19-yard line for holding. As a result the Jaguar's first
possession started on TMB's 44-yard line. From there the Jaguars
moved to a touchdown in 6 running plays.

"We came from behind again because we
expected to win," said Panther Coach Randy McIntire.
"When it was 17-16 I told the kids they only needed to score
once more and told them to look at the RCW players with their
heads down."

The Panthers rushed for 171 yards in 31 carries
and were 3 of 6 passing for 48 yards for a total offense of 219
yards. The Jaguars rushed 52 times for 256 yards but were 0 of 6
passing with 2 interceptions. Swan led TMB in rushing with 90
yards in 19 carries. Brett Jackson led in receiving with 1
reception for 18 yards.

TMB to face two top teams in 212

The Panthers play the top two teams in
the 212 Conference within a week.

Tracy/Milroy/Balaton travels to Olivia to play
the BOLD Warriors Thursday night. Tuesday, the Panthers travel to
Grove City to face Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City.

BOLD now has a record of 6-0 and is the No. 1
ranked Class AA team in the state. ACGC is n 5-1, having lost
only to BOLD, and is ranked fourth in Class AA..

"If we win one of them we will be assured
of a home game in the playoffs," said Panther Coach Randy
McIntire.

The Panthers enter this week's action with many
injuries. Sean Kirk is questionable because of sore leg, Paul
Johnson has a shoulder injury, Mike Schreier has an injured arm
and Anthony Rasmussen has a leg injury.

Panther Assistant Coach Derek Flann played in
the BOLD program under Coach Steve Solem.

"We ran the play that was called," he
said. "We only audibled once in my senior year."

"We need to stop their quarterback
Kuznia," said McIntire. "He is a strong runner on the
option play. They also use the 'ride series' quite a bit."
"Against ACGC we need to stop the run," said McIntire.
"They are a power team and will run you over."

"The girls' team ran the best race I have
seen them run this far," said Panther Coach Marie Clauson.
"We've been working hard on speed workouts to help with our
finishes. I think some of the runners were especially tired from
these workouts so they will have some rest this weekend and
hopefully be fresh for the meet on Tuesday. Megan Pool ran an
outstanding race this week. Megan is a hard worker and it was fun
to see it pay off for her. It was obvious that she really wanted
to do well today. Jenna Schaar also ran a more focused race. The
last 2000 meters she really sped up. I think she is starting to
test herself more than she previously has."

"On the boys side the team struggled a
bit," said Clauson. "Ryan Tholen and Alex Jones led the
way for the team yet again. Considering that these two boys are
only eighth graders the future looks bright for the boys
team."

In the junior high boys race Dalton Kirk was
27th at 7:07 and Josh Lubben was 31st at 7:55.

"In the junior high race Josh Lubben
finished very strong," said Clauson. "I think he is
getting the hang of this and his confidence during his races is
growing. Dalton Kirk again ran strong."

TMB wins 212 volleyball title

The Panther volleyball team clinched the 212
Conference Championship Tuesday night with a 3-1 win over MACCRAY
at Tracy. The game scores were 25-20, 25-18,20-25 and 25-19.

Tracy/Milroy/Balaton went into the match with a
6-0 conference record but both Renville County West, at 5-1 and
MACCRAY, at 4-1 had a chance to get in the championship picture
until the win secured the championship for the Panthers. It was
particularly sweet because this is the last season that the 212
Conference will be in existence.

"They are a good team and we knew it would
be tough," said Panther Coach Katie Gervais. "We played
well in general and served aggressively except for that third
game and we knew that we did not want to give them too much of an
opening."

That all-important first game found the teams
tied at 17. With Nicole Haecherl serving with the Panthers behind
18-20 T/M/B picked up the last seven points to close out the
game. The points came on a wide block, an ace, and a block into
the net, a net hit, another ace serve, and then two straight
kills from Laura Lanoue.

Andrea VanMoer led in digs with 15; Krysta
Tholen, Tessa Nelson and Tashia Lamb followed with 9 each. Nelson
and Laura Lanoue led in kills with 11 each while Emily Miller had
7 and Nicole Haecherl 6. Krysta Tholen had 33 set assists and
Lanoue led in serving with 21 of 22 and 3 aces, Haecherl was 17
of 18 with 3 aces, Tholen 17 of 18 with 2 aces and Nelson was 15
of 15 with 2 aces.

The Panthers will compete in the Alexandria
Tournament this weekend and will travel to Springfield next
Monday for the last match of the regular season.